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SirStanleyBowles- 03-28-2006
Tottenham extend Cerny loan deal
Tottenham have extended the loan deal of Radek Cerny until the end of 2008. The Czech international keeper, 32, joined the club on an 18-month deal from Slavia Prague in January 2005 as cover for Paul Robinson. Spurs Sporting Director Damien Comolli told the club website: "Radek has impressed everybody in the 15 months he has been at the club. "His application, professionalism and team ethic is outstanding. He is an extremely popular member of the squad." During pre-season, Cerny featured in the club's Peace Cup success in South Korea and has provided the goalkeeping back-up in every Spurs match this season. The two clubs already share a connection - British investment company ENIC has a share in both Slavia and Tottenham and teenage striker Tomas Pekhart last week completed a switch to White Hart Lane from Prague.

SirStanleyBowles- 03-28-2006
Tottenham pair sign new contracts
Tottenham duo Aaron Lennon and Michael Dawson have extended their contracts until 2010 and 2011 respectively. Sporting director Damien Comolli told the Spurs website: "It's terrific. These are two young English players who have shown their ability early on. "Both have the potential to go on to be full internationals and we're delighted they have underlined their commitment." Lennon, 18, signed from Leeds in July 2005 while Dawson, 22, arrived from Nottingham Forest five months earlier. Defender Dawson has started 26 times in the Premiership this term. "I'm thrilled because this is a great club to be at," he said after agreeing to extend his contract. "There is a fantastic team spirit and a real sense that the club is going places." Lennon added: "I'm thoroughly enjoying my football at Spurs and it's a great squad that I really feel part of."

SirStanleyBowles- 04-02-2006
Newcastle 3-1 Tottenham
Newcastle claimed the points from a thrilling game to put a dent in Tottenham's Champions League hopes. Lee Bowyer slid the Magpies ahead after 66 seconds but Robbie Keane headed home Aaron Lennon's cross to level. Shola Ameobi followed up Nolberto Solano's shot to restore Newcastle's lead before Alan Shearer made it 3-1 from the spot after Bowyer was fouled. Jermaine Jenas missed an open goal for Spurs before Michael Dawson's red card ended any chance of a fightback. The Magpies had lost their last four Premiership games against Spurs without scoring a goal but they were quickly on top here. Charles N'Zogbia ran on to Solano's pass and squared the ball for Bowyer to bundle the ball over the line from close range. Despite their lofty league position, Tottenham did not seem to be at the races in the early stages and Shearer and Solano had chances to extend the home side's advantage. But from their first meaningful attack Martin Jol's side found themselves level, Lennon's pace and trickery giving him space on the left-hand side of the area to cross for Keane to instinctively head home. Newcastle kept coming forward however and they were quickly back in front. Bowyer's tackle set Solano free and Spurs keeper Paul Robinson could only parry his shot into the path of Ameobi who slotted home. Things got better for the Magpies when Solano sent a bouncing ball into the box and instead of shepherding it out, Edgar Davids inexplicably barged Bowyer over, giving referee Mike Dean little choice but to point to the spot. Shearer stepped up to bury his penalty and claim his 19th career goal against Tottenham. The game almost took another twist before half-time when Keane hammered a shot against the bar after a Jenas free-kick had ricocheted into his path. But instead Newcastle went in at the break firmly in command, and Tottenham did their level best in the second half to ensure things stayed that way. Jenas had been greeted on his return to his former club by being roundly booed every time he touched the ball - but his day was to get even worse. Robbie Elliott's poor back-header set him free in the area and he rounded Shay Given - only to miss the target completely with the goal at his mercy. Keane grazed Given's post with a low shot soon after to show Tottenham were still in with a shout but any chance of them taking something from the game were ended when Dawson was shown his second yellow card for holding Shearer back. Newcastle almost added a fourth when Bowyer's header brought a fine save out of Robinson but for the final half hour they remained comfortably in control and Spurs never threatened a recovery. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder: "The players took out their disappointment from last week's defeat at Charlton on what is a very good Tottenham side. "Three one did not do out first-half performance justice. "People say there is nothing to play for but there are points and pride - and for our fans we must play this way for the rest of the season." Tottenham manager Martin Jol: "We showed many faces here - the first 25 minutes the way we gave goals away was almost unforgivable. "But in the second half we came back although we were playing with with 10 men for half-an-hour. "Normally if you play away and you give the motivation to the opponents like we did you can end up losing five or six nil but I think we stood up well." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle: Given, Carr, Ramage, Moore, Elliott, Solano (Faye 80), Bowyer, Emre (Clark 63), N'Zogbia (Chopra 90), Shearer, Ameobi. Subs Not Used: Harper, Boumsong. Booked: Moore, Emre. Goals: Bowyer 2, Ameobi 25, Shearer 30 pen. Tottenham: Robinson, Kelly, Dawson, Gardner, Lee, Jenas, Carrick, Davids (Murphy 88), Lennon (Defoe 70), Keane, Mido. Subs Not Used: Cerny, Stalteri, Huddlestone. Sent Off: Dawson (61). Booked: Dawson, Mido, Keane. Goals: Keane 19. Att: 52,301 Ref: M Dean (Wirral).

SirStanleyBowles- 04-03-2006
King return key for Jol
Tottenham Hotspur hope to have skipper Ledley King back from an ankle injury in the near future, after the England international missed the 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United. Spurs had Michael Dawson sent off in their St James' Park reverse and head coach Martin Jol is keeping his fingers crossed that King will fill the gap left, with the former Nottingham Forest stopper facing a two-match ban. He told his club's official website: "Ledley took a knock in training on Friday and twisted his ankle and had a little problem in his knee as well because of the twist. "Maybe I could have played him, but we were worried about it, so we decided to give him a rest because it could have made it worse for the rest of the season. "Hopefully one of the positives will be that he can now play next week because we all know how important he is to us."

SirStanleyBowles- 04-05-2006
El Hamdaoui discusses Rams future
Tottenham striker Mounir El Hamdaoui has returned to Derby for talks over a potential comeback at Pride Park. The 21-year-old joined Derby on loan for the rest of the season at the end of January - but has been sidelined with a hernia problem since February. "Under the terms of his contract, we are paying his wages," Rams boss Terry Westley told his club's website. "But he's obviously a bit dubious about returning, as he has played here twice and picked up two major injuries." El Hamdaoui first moved to Derby on loan in September, scoring twice in six appearances before he was injured. However, after his return in January, he only managed two starts before picking up a groin problem which required surgery. "There are are only four games left, but we are going to look at his mental condition," Westley added. "If he is in the right frame of mind, he will train on Thursday and be available for selection if I want him."

SirStanleyBowles- 04-07-2006
Tottenham v Man City
Tottenham will give defender Ledley King a late fitness test to see if he has recovered from his injured ankle. Fellow centre-back Michael Dawson is suspended, but midfielder Teemu Tainio is available again after he shook off the effects of a throat infection. Tottenham (from): Robinson, Cerny, Stalteri, Kelly, King, Gardner, Davenport, Lee, Reid, Jenas, Tainio, Carrick, Lennon, Davids, Defoe, Mido, Keane, Barnard, Huddlestone. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas: "Our home form has really helped throughout so it's been good. "We've worked really hard and got a good set of players with lots of ability. "I can't predict the future but I'm confident in my team's ability and we know we're capable of achieving it." Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce: "The players have been very focused on putting things right against Tottenham this weekend. "We have an honest group of players who have worked hard in training and we must bounce back against a Spurs side who are pushing for a European spot. "Things are not going well for us but if we are well organised and fight for every ball then results will improve."

SirStanleyBowles- 04-09-2006
Tottenham 2-1 Man City
Paul Stalteri and Michael Carrick struck either side of the interval to maintain Spurs' bid to qualify for Champions League football next season. Stalteri opened the scoring in the 44th minute after Manchester City keeper David James saved from Robbie Keane. And Carrick fired high past James four minutes after the break. Tottenham were anxious after Georgios Samaras struck for City, but they deserved to win, with James producing a series of fine saves. City, on the receiving end of a savage public attack from manager Stuart Pearce after the home defeat against Middlesbrough, created the first clear opening. Trevor Sinclair's clever pass sent in Micah Richards, but the youngster dragged his shot wide. City goalkeeper James almost gifted Spurs the lead in the 19th minute, when he sent a clearance straight to Mido, but he failed to find Keane, who was waiting unmarked in the penalty area. And seconds later Keane should have put Spurs ahead after another moment of nightmare defending by Ben Thatcher, but his weak lob was straight at James. Keane was Spurs' inspiration, and it took a magnificent save from James to deny him an opener seven minutes before the break when he turned a rising drive on to the bar. But Keane was not to be denied, and he was instrumental as Spurs deservedly took the lead a minute before half-time. He turned Republic of Ireland colleague Richard Dunne on the edge of the area, and when James could only push out his powerful drive, Stalteri was on hand to steer home the rebound. Spurs doubled their advantage four minutes after the interval when Carrick ran on to Teemu Tainio's pass to shoot high past James. But a moment of carelessness from the Spurs defence allowed City to grab a lifeline three minutes later. Sylvain Distin's long throw was turned in by Samaras from close range to give City hope. Keane quickly had the ball in the net with a smart finish, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Samaras' goal gave City hope, and Spurs were suddenly living dangerously, with Lee Young-Pyo clearing off the line from Richards and substitute Albert Riera bringing a fine save out of Paul Robinson. But James was having a busy afternoon, saving Anthony Gardner's low shot and then producing a stunning stop to turn Stalteri's deflected shot on to the post. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tottenham boss Martin Jol: "This is a great result and we deserved the win even though we did not make things easy for ourselves. "If it was not for their keeper David James we could have scored five goals. "The next game is against Everton and all our games are like finals but if we show the same commitment we have a good chance of getting the fourth spot." Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce: "We are in a poor run of five straight defeats. "I'm disappointed with the result but they had a go for us and scrapped but we are missing the commodity of confidence. "I was vocal in my condemnation of them last week but this time their effort was excellent. "If we start the game at West Ham next week the way we finished this week we can go into the game with confidence." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, King, Gardner, Lee, Lennon (Defoe 82), Jenas, Carrick, Tainio (Davids 89), Keane, Mido. Subs Not Used: Cerny, Murphy, Davenport. Goals: Stalteri 44, Carrick 49. Man City: James, Danny Mills (Riera 59), Dunne, Distin, Thatcher, Sinclair, Richards, Musampa, Reyna (Sibierski 79), Vassell, Samaras. Subs Not Used: Weaver, Sommeil, Wright-Phillips. Booked: Vassell, Richards, Thatcher. Goals: Samaras 52. Att: 36,167 Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).

SirStanleyBowles- 04-15-2006
Everton 0-1 Tottenham
Robbie Keane's first-half penalty gave Spurs a deserved win and keeps Martin Jol's side on course for a place in next season's Champions League. Keane scored after he was hauled back by Everton defender Alan Stubbs. Spurs' victory margin should have been greater against a poor Everton side, with keeper Richard Wright denying Jermaine Jenas and Jermain Defoe. Defoe also struck the bar in the second half in front of watching England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson. Spurs gave a rare start to Defoe alongside Keane, with Mido ruled out because of a groin injury. And they dominated the first 45 minutes against an Everton side that appeared to be running down the clock on a mixed campaign. The only surprise was that it took Spurs 33 minutes to break the deadlock, with Keane scoring from the spot after he had been dragged back by Stubbs. Spurs made a switch at half-time, with former Liverpool midfield man Danny Murphy coming on for Teemu Tainio. Everton's much-maligned keeper Wright kept his side in contention with a brilliant double save three minutes after the break. He dived to his right to deny Jenas, then made a miraculous point-blank stop from Defoe after Gary Naysmith had inexplicably turned the ball into his path from only six yards out. Spurs were guilty of wasting opportunities to score the crucial second goal and Keane fired wastefully over the top, with only Wright to beat after he was played in by Murphy. Everton were still making little impression on the Spurs defence and boss David Moyes introduced Duncan Ferguson for Simon Davies after 66 minutes. Defoe almost gave Spurs the second goal they deserved with 18 minutes left but his curling finish bounced back off the bar with Wright beaten. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everton manager David Moyes: "No complaints. Tottenham were the better side, probably as good as any side we have had at Goodison Park this year. "Our lads tried everything they could but it didn't happen for us. Tottenham came here and showed why they are doing so well. "We will keep going. We are paid well here and this is a great club to play for, so anybody who thinks the season is over will be found out. We won't have it here. We want to try and finish in the top 10." Spurs head coach Martin Jol: "This was a very important game and we are delighted to have won at a difficult place. "Our aim is to make everybody happy at the club and the Premiership table has made good reading for a while. "Everton are a strong side who play English football, but we coped with that. We pressed them and created chances. "I am only disappointed we didn't score more goals from the chances we created. Everton didn't create a lot and we looked good." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everton: Wright, Neville, Yobo, Stubbs (Ferrari 59), Naysmith (Kilbane 84), Osman, Carsley, Cahill, Davies (Ferguson 66), McFadden, Beattie. Subs Not Used: Turner, Weir. Booked: Carsley, Neville. Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, Gardner, King (Davids 90), Lee, Lennon (Davenport 82), Carrick, Jenas, Tainio (Murphy 45), Keane, Defoe. Subs Not Used: Cerny, Barnard. Booked: Gardner. Goals: Keane 33 pen. Att: 39,856 Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

SirStanleyBowles- 04-16-2006
Tottenham v Man Utd
Tottenham expect to be without Finnish midfielder Teemu Tainio (hamstring). Defender Michael Dawson is available again after suspension but there are doubts over Mido (groin), Ledley King and Anthony Gardner (both ankle). Louis Saha (ankle) is a major doubt for Manchester United after failing to even make the bench against Sunderland. Mikael Silvestre could return at left-back in place of Patrice Evra, while Nemanja Vidic is pushing for a place on the bench.

SirStanleyBowles- 04-17-2006
Tottenham 1-2 Man Utd
Wayne Rooney's first-half brace against Tottenham ensured Manchester United kept the Premiership title race alive for at least another week. The England striker opened the scoring after seven minutes when he slid in to convert Cristiano Ronaldo's pass. And when Young-Pyo Lee dawdled in defence, Ji-Sung Park pounced to play Rooney in for his decisive second. Spurs, who had chances with Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson going close, pulled one back through Jermaine Jenas. The midfielder pounced on 53 minutes after some woeful Manchester United defending at a corner. Nemanja Vidic's clearing header bounced off Rio Ferdinand and back towards goal to leave Jenas with the easiest of tap-ins. It set the game up beautifully, with Tottenham looking to increase the distance between themselves and north London rivals Arsenal in the race for fourth and Champions League football. And the visitors knew that anything less than a win would give Chelsea the chance to wrap up the title later in the day at home to Everton. But Spurs struggled to muster a clear-cut opening as United enjoyed the greater control in an entertaining encounter. Robbie Keane tested Edwin van der Sar with a shot from distance, but it was United and Ruud van Nistelrooy who had the better chances as time ticked down. The Dutchman spurned a glorious opportunity after a heavy first touch gave Calum Davenport, in his first start for Spurs, a chance to block and late in the game he turned a Gary Neville cross on to the post. The game was absorbing from first to last. Defoe saw an effort within the first two minutes trickle agonisingly wide of the post after good work by Michael Carrick and Aaron Lennon. And Dawson also went close, with Carrick again the catalyst for the chance, but Van der Sar was on hand to make a sharp, reflex stop at the back post. Dawson should have made Tottenham's early dominance tell by converting from the flighted free-kick and the hosts were made to pay within a minute. Van Nistelrooy led a counter-attack down the left, his clipped pass off the outside of the right-boot was met by Ronaldo who took Paul Robinson out of the equation with a delightful pass of his own leaving Rooney with an open goal. It did little to knock the hosts from their stride, but while they continued to raid forward with Lennon, Defoe and Keane full of energy, there was no end product. Defoe and Dawson wasted more chances to score while Ronaldo saw a header go over at the other shortly after Lee made a telling block from Park. However, the next time the South Korean pair came together it was Park who came out on top to set up the crucial second. Lee gifted his compatriot the ball as he tried to run it out of defence and Rooney was the man to benefit. Tottenham were given a lifeline by some equally poor defending at the other end, but despite throwing everything at United, including keeper Robinson at a late corner, there was to be no second goal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tottenham manager Martin Jol: "We punished ourselves. I can't remember a game in which we played so well and we're 2-0 down. "The first goal was lack of experience and then they had a break. It is a big disappointment because we had five chances before that. "We made some mistakes but the first 20 was the best since I've been here. I thought we could have got a point." Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson "I heard Martin Jol saying on Saturday that it was probably a good time to play us and I thought 'oh, really?". "It keeps the fans interested and keeps everybody at the club interested and keeps the season bubbling away." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, Dawson, Davenport, Lee, Lennon (Barnard 78), Jenas, Carrick, Davids (Murphy 71), Keane, Defoe. Subs Not Used: Naybet, Kelly, Cerny. Booked: Stalteri. Goals: Jenas 53. Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Park, O'Shea, Giggs, Ronaldo (Brown 90), Rooney, van Nistelrooy. Subs Not Used: Howard, Evra, Heinze, Saha. Booked: Vidic. Goals: Rooney 8, 36. Att: 36,141 Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).

SirStanleyBowles- 04-17-2006
King faces World Cup fitness race
Tottenham and England defender Ledley King will miss the rest of the season and is a major doubt for the World Cup after fracturing a bone in his foot. The 25-year-old was injured during Saturday's win at Everton after a clash with Duncan Ferguson but played on, only limping off in the 90th minute. Spurs coach Martin Jol reassured England that King would be fit. "He will take three or four weeks to recover so of course he will be fit for the World Cup," Jol said. King was set to be named in the England squad on 8 May. He joins fellow defenders Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole as a doubt for Germany. If King is ruled out, England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson could draft in Manchester United defender Wes Brown. Eriksson has yet to decide whether to take a chance on Arsenal's Campbell, who has been troubled both on and off the pitch this season. And Campbell's team-mate Cole, England's first-choice left-back, is also recovering from an ankle injury and is yet to return to first-team football. Striker Michael Owen is also currently sidelined after breaking his foot, but is expected to play for Newcastle before the end of the season. This year's event would have been King's first World Cup, although he played in Euro 2004. King, who won his first cap against Italy in 2002, is behind central defenders John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Jamie Carragher in Eriksson's pecking order. But the Tottenham captain has won the Swede's favour after showing his versatility in the midfield holding role. Although Eriksson is set to name his squad on the 8 May, Fifa's deadline for them to be submitted is one week later on 15 May.

SirStanleyBowles- 04-21-2006
Arsenal v Tottenham
Arsenal defender Sol Campbell is unlikely to face his former club after breaking his nose against Portsmouth. Left-back Ashley Cole is out for a further two weeks, despite making a midweek comeback for the reserves. Spurs will give striker Mido (groin) a late fitness test and are already without skipper Ledley King (foot) and Jermaine Jenas (shin). The visitors also have worries over Edgar Davids (ankle) and Anthony Gardner (shin). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "We are in a good position to win. We have the quality and we have come back into a very good position. "Nobody thought we would come back to fight for fourth spot a few weeks ago. "We have made a massive step forward but it is always about how you finish the job." Tottenham striker Robbie Keane: "The key against Arsenal is not to lose the game, that's the most important thing. If we get something, if we get a point there then great. "But if we play the way we have been playing I think we have a great chance. We know Arsenal are right behind us, they have a game in hand and Saturday will be a massive game. Of course we are looking over our shoulders, it is only natural that we do. "Over the last few weeks a lot people have been saying that Tottenham will slip up soon but at the moment we have not."

SirStanleyBowles- 04-22-2006
Legends say derby is biggest ever
Arsenal legend Ian Wright says Saturday's meeting with Tottenham is the biggest north London derby ever. The fifth-placed Gunners are four points behind Spurs with a game in hand as they chase a Champions League berth. "It doesn't get bigger than qualifying for the Champions League outright," Wright told Sir Stanley. "The next four days make or break Arsenal's season." Ex-Spurs skipper Gary Mabbutt agreed: "It really is a huge game, one of the most important Tottenham have faced." Spurs have been in fourth place for most of the season and know victory in the last derby at Highbury would all but seal their European place. Wright knows Arsenal cannot afford to slip up and cannot rely on winning the Champions League to book their place for next season. "We need to beat Spurs to get closer and to try and cement this Champions League place in case it doesn't work out in the final - if they get there," added Wright, who was speaking at the launch of the Sure Fanzone World Cup venue in London. "In my opinion this is the biggest north London derby ever. "The semi-final of the FA Cup when we beat them 1-0 was a major game, but it will never match up to this one in terms of importance." Mabbutt believes Spurs are now at a crucial point in their history: "All the games from now on are arguably the biggest set of games the club has faced," he told Sir Stanley. "That may sound like an over-the-top statement, but to get back among the elite of Europe you have to be in the Champions League, and we've not even been fighting for a European place in the last decade. "Being in the Champions League - it offers great finances and means you can attract the best players around - would be massive for the club." Goalkeeping legend Ray Clemence, who made 240 league appearances for Tottenham, says Spurs would be happy to take a point from the contest. "Tottenham don't have to win it whereas Arsenal do," Clemence told Sir Stanley. "And there is a massive amount at stake. "It's not just a case of that fourth place and one side finishing above the other. There are also the financial implications of what Champions League will give. "Spurs have not been in Europe for many years so the extra revenue will be a massive boost for them. "Arsenal are moving to a new stadium and have got a massive financial commitment. I'm sure in their figures they will probably have looked at being in the Champions League."

SirStanleyBowles- 04-22-2006
Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham
Thierry Henry came off the bench to deny Tottenham victory in the last north London derby at Highbury. Spurs dominated the first half and took the lead on 66 minutes when Robbie Keane tapped in Edgar Davids' cross. Arsenal were outraged that Spurs did not stop play for an injury but Henry wiped out the disappointment with a stunning finish six minutes from time. Edgar Davids' dismissal meant Spurs had to hang on for a draw which leaves the race for fourth still open. Before the game, Tottenham might have settled for the draw, which means they maintain their four-point advantage over the Gunners, but after having the better of the game, they will leave Highbury disappointed. Martin Jol's side made a nervous start but after weathering some early pressure, they began to trouble the hosts - largely through the right-wing threat of Aaron Lennon. The 19-year-old slipped a pass through for Jermain Defoe, whose weak effort was easily saved by Jens Lehmann with the unmarked Edgar Davids screaming for the ball. Defoe almost redeemed himself moments later when he beat the offside trap, controlled Michael Carrick's lofted ball but saw his venemous shot cannon off Lehmann's face. Tottenham saved the best of an impressive first-half for the last minute, Carrick beating three Arsenal challenges and Lehmann before shooting into the side netting from a tight angle. However, with Henry looking ominously on from the bench, Spurs went in at half-time without a goal to show for their dominance. They continued to press after the break, but when Emmanuel Eboue came on for the injured Philippe Senderos, Arsenal improved. Robin Van Persie should have given Arsenal the lead on the hour when he easily beat the offside trap but lifted his shot over Robinson and wide. That was the cue for Arsene Wenger to introduce Henry and Cesc Fabregas, but with Arsenal now looking the more likely to score, Spurs attacked on the break and got the goal their earlier superiority deserved. Davids broke down the left and slid a perfect ball across for Keane to tap in at the far post. As Keane celebrated, Arsenal's players took out their anger on Davids, who they felt should not have played on with Gilberto and Eboue lying injured in the centre circle after colliding with each other. And with the game threatening to boil over, Wenger and Spurs counterpart Jol squared up the touchline. Arsenal might have eased their frustration within seconds but Jose Reyes' volley was magnificently save by Robinson. But Henry had Highbury rocking for one final north London derby with a fabulous finish. Fed by Adebayor, the French striker controlled and finished into the bottom right corner in one breathtaking move. It could have been much worse for Spurs after Davids' rash tackle on Fabregas earned him a second yellow card, but they held on and go into their final two games with a four-point lead over their rivals, who have a game in hand. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal: Lehmann, Djourou, Senderos, Toure, Flamini, Pires, Silva, Diaby, Reyes, Adebayor, Van Persie. Subs: Almunia, Henry, Fabregas, Song Billong, Eboue. Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, Dawson, Gardner, Lee, Lennon, Carrick, Davids, Tainio, Defoe, Keane. Subs: Cerny, Naybet, Kelly, Murphy, Barnard. Referee: S Bennett (Kent)

SirStanleyBowles- 04-23-2006
Wenger accuses Tottenham of lying
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger labelled Spurs "liars" in the wake of Saturday's North London derby at Highbury. Emmanuel Eboue and Gilberto Silva were injured as Edgar Davids set up Robbie Keane for the game's opening goal. Wenger claimed Spurs should have put the ball out of play, refusing to believe their explanation that they did not see the injured Arsenal duo. "Their first goal was a disgrace. They lie when they say they didn't see it," said Wenger after the 1-1 draw. "I can't believe they didn't see it. Of course they lie. I find it very disappointing and it is a shame that a thing like that can happen. "It is nothing to do with the stakes riding on the game. It is whether you think something is fair or unfair. You expect to get the ball back there. "We did it on Wednesday against Villarreal in the Champions League every time, even when we sometimes felt it was unfair for them to get it back." Wenger added: "If that's the way they want to behave then that is their responsibility, but I don't agree with that. "I don't agree with it and if football goes that way it becomes very petty." Wenger accepted the result puts Spurs in pole position to seal fourth place. Arsenal have a game in hand on their North London rivals but trail them by four points. The Gunners have three matches left but still need Spurs to slip up to finish above them in the table. "Mathematically it is in their hands now," said Wenger. "They played very well but we didn't expect to drop two points like that, and in that way."